Plum police's No Shave November nets donation for food bank

The Plum Borough Police Department may be looking a little scruffy during No Shave November but it’s all for a good cause.

For a $50 donation, officers can bypass department grooming policy and grow out their facial hair during the inaugural fundraiser. The proceeds raised go to the Plum Food Pantry.

“This is the first year that I have implemented this type of fundraiser with the blessing of Mayor (Harry) Schlegel,” said Plum Borough Chief of Police Lanny Conley. “When I was promoted to chief in 2019 many officers approached me about changing the department policy regarding facial hair. I thought about it for a while and then covid hit and everyone was wearing masks and it just wasn’t as important to the officers at that point in time. So when things started returning to normal I approached the officers about raising money for a local charity.”

Almost all officers have donated to No Shave November, including the department’s lone female officer Crystal Iachini. The department has raised $1,100 for the Plum Food Pantry.

“I think it shows the community that we truly are part of the community,” said Conley. “We want to be there to help in any way possible. Our officers are dedicated to the citizens of Plum Borough and enjoy working here. I want our officers to be approachable, our department has expanded our role in community events over the past few years such as the Eggstravaganza at Easter, Summer Fest, Fall Fest and Christmas at Plum Creek.”

The department has also benefited from the fundraiser as Conley said that it’s brought them closer together as a group. The department argues who has the best beard, with Conley saying it’s either traffic safety officer Mike DeMarco or officer Nick Iachini. Some have joked about their challenging ability to grow facial hair, while the “elder statesmen” with gray or white beards, such as Conley, also joke around about their beards.

“Our officers are willing to do anything for this community,” said Schlegel. “Our community gives to the police department and our police department gives back to the community.”

The beards won’t stop in November though, as the department will also allow each officer to continue growing a beard by donating another $50 in December. If the same amount of officers participate in December then that’d be another $1,100 for the Plum Food Pantry. In January, officers are able to continue growing their beards at no cost in recognition of their participation of the fundraiser.

Conley said he’d like to see this type of community support become a tradition for many years to come.